Tourism
Latest news and information on tourism, tourist sites, and visitor numbers across Europe.
Safety warnings as tourists rush to Italy's erupting Mount Etna
Spectacular images of lava flowing down the slopes of an erupting Mount Etna have drawn flocks of sometimes ill-equipped tourists to the Italian volcano – drawing concern from local guides.
A quick guide to restrictions on Airbnb in Spain's main cities and regions
If you’re planning on buying a property in Spain to rent out to tourists on platforms such as Airbnb, you need to think very carefully about where the property is located as many places have strict restrictions.
Sand, smoking and sex: The rules you need to respect on French beaches
Looking to enjoy a relaxing holiday on the beach in France? Here are the rules you should know before setting up your umbrella.
Should you cancel your French holiday due to wildfires?
Headlines in France in recent days have been dominated by a series of huge wildfires, with thousands of hectares burned, homes evacuated and others left without power. So is it still safe - and advisable - to holiday here?
Swedes still booking holidays in Southern Europe despite fires
Swedes' interest in travelling to Southern Europe does not seem to be decreasing despite the major fires in France and Spain, according to airlines and travel agencies.
Tourists from France and Spain flock to Sweden for cooler summer
More and more tourists from southern Europe – particularly France and Spain – are heading to Sweden to experience a cooler summer, according to new data from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Development.
LATEST: 'Calmer night' but Bordeaux wildfires still burning
Firefighters battling the giant wildfires in south-west France have reported a 'calmer night', but Wednesday brings a return of scorching temperatures to the region.
Will heatwaves push European holidaymakers to 'coolcations'?
European holidaymakers worn down by recurrent heatwaves are currently snubbing Mediterranean destinations for northern climes in hopes of cooler temperatures, but it remains to be seen whether it is just a fad or a durable shift in the tourism market.
Can your boss ban you from working remotely from France?
If you're planning on combining a holiday in France with a couple of days of work this summer, you may need to check whether your company allows this.
Avalanche risk: How to stay safe skiing in the French Alps
As French ski resorts prepare for the peak February season, the news of more deaths have hit the headlines - here's how to stay safe while skiing in France.
'It's discrimination': The verdict on France's museum price hike for non-EU visitors
At the start of 2026 France unveiled a new price structure for its national museums - including the Louvre and Versailles - that charges higher prices to non-EU visitors. Readers of The Local share their thoughts on this new law.
Explained: France's new museum prices for tourists and residents
At the start of 2026 France unveiled a new price structure for its national museums, including the Louvre and Versailles, that charges higher prices to non-EU visitors. Here's how the new pricing structure works.
Share your view: What do you think of France's higher museum prices for non-EU visitors?
France has unrolled a new policy which involves charging higher prices to non-EU citizens to visit tourist attractions such as the Louvre and Versailles - and we want to hear your views on that.
French museum fare hikes for non-European tourists spark outcry
Should foreign tourists pay more for state-funded galleries than locals, or should art be accessible to all, without discrimination? France is hiking prices for non-Europeans at the Louvre this week, provoking debate about so-called "dual pricing".
'Angry' Louvre workers' strike shuts out thousands of tourists
The Louvre closed its doors to thousands of disappointed visitors on Monday due to a strike over working conditions at the Paris landmark, two months after a major robbery.
Paris Louvre staff call 'indefinite' strike over working conditions
Staff at the Louvre in Paris have issued a call for an 'indefinite' strike in protest at their working conditions - topping off a terrible year for the museum that has involved structural issues, a water leak and of course that high-profile jewel heist.
French mayor introduces order of 'silence in the street'
The mayor of a small French town suffering from an influx of tourists to its famous Christmas market has decided to introduce an order of silence in the street, after noise complaints from locals.
Where in Germany you'll pay hotel tax and why you won't in Bavaria
In most German states visitors can expect to pay a local tax for overnight stays at hotels. But a recent court ruling in Bavaria confirmed that hotel taxes may not be collected in the southern 'Free State'.
The below-the-radar French town named on European cultural heritage list
The Forbes of list of the 10 European towns with the best cultural heritage contains some well-known names like Florence, Dubrovnik and Bruges - plus one small town in south-west France that often flies under the radar, but contains some fascinating treasures.
Inside Spain: Why Barcelona's new tourism crackdown doesn't convince locals
In this week's Inside Spain, we look at why the decision to limit visitor numbers at Barcelona's overcrowded Park Güell has been shrugged off as a "distraction tactic" by disgruntled locals.
19 must-visit winter festivals and events in France
Celebrations of truffles, wine, farming and lemons - as well as Christmas and New Year festivals and a long dog-sled race - give winter a festive feel in France.
Do you qualify for free entry to French museums?
If you're visiting one of France's many museums, art galleries or national heritage sites you may not have to pay for your ticket - here's a look at the groups who can benefit from free entry into French museums.
Why Germans are falling out of love with Mallorca
Mallorca has long been the favourite place in Spain for German tourists, residents and second homeowners, but recent data suggest that the Mediterranean island is losing its appeal among its main tourism market.